The year 2008 marks the development of logistics services in the pharmaceutical, FMCG, and spare parts industries – an interview with Jens Fiege, Managing Director of Fiege International.
Iwo Nowak: What was the basis for choosing Poland as a place of business in this part of Europe?
Jens Fiege: Poland is one of Germany’s most important trading partners. In contract logistics, trust is a key factor in decision-making. That is why we took up the challenge that the 3M company set for us ten years ago. The fact that we won the tender announced by 3M in 2007 confirms that we met all the expectations, the realization of which began solely with trust.
I.N.: Which clients do you work with in Central and Eastern Europe?
J.F.: We can proudly say that since starting operations in 1997, the Polish branch of Fiege has not lost a single client. Currently, we work with companies such as Pirelli, GM, Reckitt Benckiser, Philip Morris, Fujitsu, Perfetti van Melle, and many others.
I.N.: Which industries are the clients that Fiege primarily bases its business on?
J.F.: Fiege’s clients include a number of well-known international companies from many different industries, for example, industrial, automotive, tire, FMCG, and pharmaceutical.
I.N.: Which companies do you cooperate with in providing logistics services for the transport of your clients’ goods?
J.F.: We offer our clients not only warehousing services but also distribution services. We cooperate with global suppliers based on long-term contracts to ensure the highest level of quality for the services we offer.
I.N.: What new warehousing technologies did you introduce in 2007 and what will be introduced this year?
J.F.: To be able to provide services for the pharmaceutical industry, we rebuilt part of the existing facility in Mszczonów in such a way that it complies with all applicable regulations and requirements (pharmaceutical law, GMP and GDP procedures). Medicines are stored in a specially designated and adapted warehouse zone (it has a GIF permit for the storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals), where special storage conditions (temperature and humidity) are strictly controlled.
I.N.: Could I ask for a brief overview of the systems used at Fiege: Warehouse Management, Transport Management, and Track & Tracing?
J.F.: Fiege uses its own software called F-XL Logware. It is used for warehouse management, with individual versions meeting different requirements for various branches of industry. This application is designed to support advanced processes related to warehousing and distribution. It facilitates greater efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations. This system has been installed in most locations served by Fiege across Europe, hence the need to develop multilingual versions. It works well in industries such as: FMCG, electronics, textiles, automotive, and many others, both in the case of shared solutions (for several clients) and dedicated ones (for a single client). The system also supports all kinds of value-added services. The main functions of the application are: batch management; batch withdrawal; EANCOM support; picking using “pick by light” and “pick by voice”; monitoring using NVE; import and export handling; customs clearance; handling of dangerous goods. Thanks to its extensive distribution network, Fiege can deliver goods to any place in Poland within 24 hours. The company uses its own Transport Management System, the so-called F-XL Outdoor (currently at the implementation stage), which facilitates effective control of individual stages of goods distribution. The system records all data on shipments. Thanks to this, constant supervision of delivery punctuality is possible, while maintaining optimal costs for logistics partners and high efficiency of the processes carried out. The TMS system is an optimal solution in terms of time and cost for individual clients. This system is directly connected to the WMS (Warehouse Management System). In order to maintain full control over these processes, the Fiege Group also uses dedicated Track & Trace solutions, allowing for the monitoring of all deliveries – from the moment the order is placed by the client until the shipment is delivered to the end recipient.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 1/2008.